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| Day 1 of Argentina & Chile Tour Arrival in Buenos Aires Arrival in Buenos Aires. Nearly 40% of the country's 33 million citizens live in Gran Buenos Aires (Greater Buenos Aires), which at first makes the city almost as imposing as New York or London. However, after a brief orientation, you will find that the compact city centre is accessible and easily explored on foot, by bus, taxi and underground. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Dinner if required. |
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| Day 2 of Argentina & Chile Tour Buenos Aires: City Tour Today we see the sights of this cosmopolitan city. In the early part of the 20th century, Argentina was one of the richest countries in the world. The grand public buildings of Buenos Aires reflect this opulent era. The city is known as the "Paris of South America" because of its wide boulevards and European-style architecture. Buenos Aires was founded for the second time in 1580 by Juan de Garay, just north of Mendoza's encampment. In accordance with Spanish law, he laid out the large Plaza del Fuerte (Fortress Plaza). It acquired its present name of Plaza de Mayo after the month of revolution in 1810. Our tour focuses on the major public buildings. Catedral Metropolitana, built on the sight of the original colonial church was not completed until 1827. Not only is it considered a major religious landmark, but also a historic site of great importance. Here lies the tomb of Jose de San Martin, the man who (along with Simon Bolivar) liberated South America from Spanish rule in the early 1800's. The Plaza de Mayo is also home to Museo del Cabildo, the Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada), and the National Congress (Palacio del Congreso). We also visit the Recoleta Cemetery where Buenos Aires' richest citizens are buried in magnificent marble tombs elaborately decorated with statues. The most internationally-famous person buried here is "Evita" Peron. Later this afternoon you may choose to visit in the artists' quarter of San Telmo. Ask your Tour Leader about the possibility of seeing an optional Tango Show this evening. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 3 of Argentina & Chile Tour Buenos Aires: City Tour Today we have a half-day WALKING tour. Our first stop is the Centro Naval, one of the city's most exquisite buildings and a masterpiece of cast stone architecture. The building was opened in 1914 and was designed by Swiss architect Jacques Dunant. It's not generally open to the public, but sometimes they let you into the circular lobby. The Kavanagh Building, at the time of its construction in 1936, was the tallest building in South America, standing at about 120 m (400 ft.) with over 30 stories. Designed as a residential structure, it took more than 16 years to sell the apartments in this Art Deco building. Now it is only the third-tallest building in the city. Palacio Paz is perhaps the most beautiful of the Beaux Arts mansions in Buenos Aires; the Circulo Militar looks plucked from the Loire Valley. It was the home of the Paz family and took almost 12 years to build; the patriarch who commissioned it died waiting. The General Jose de San Martin Monument celebrates General Jose de San Martin, who battled against Spain in the wars of independence and is known as the founder of the Argentine nation. The Palacio San Martin is another of the grand mansions that line Plaza San Martin, this was the home of the powerful Anchorenas family whose prestige dated to colonial times in Argentina. The Islas Malvinas-Falkland Islands Memorial honors the more than 700 Argentines who died in the war over the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands chain in the brief war with Great Britain in early 1982. The Torre Monumental (British Clock Tower) is a 1916 gift from the British community in Buenos Aires, along with all other things British, was renamed in response to the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands War and is called the Argentine Big Ben by some. Decorated with British royal imperial symbols, the base was partly destroyed by an angry mob during an Islas Malvinas-Falkland Islands memorial service. Inside the tower you'll find a small Buenos Aires City Tourism Information Office, as well as an elevator that you can ride to the top for an excellent view of the city. The tower was placed here to celebrate the completion of the nearby Retiro station, built with British technology. Retiro Station was opened in 1915 and was built with British technological assistance. Four British architects designed it, and the steel structure was made in Liverpool, England, and shipped to Argentina to be assembled. Our tour ends in the Galerias Pacifico in time for your lunch break. This is the most famous shopping mall in Buenos Aires, opened in 1891. The building was designed to recall the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, with its long halls, glass cupola, and several tiers of shops. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 4 of Argentina & Chile Tour Buenos Aires - Trelew - Puerto Madryn This morning we say goodbye to Buenos Aires and fly to the Welsh town of Trelew in the Chubut Province of Patagonia. This morning will be spent touring this historic town. Founded in 1886 as a railway junction, Trelew takes its name from Lewis Jones who promoted expansion of the railway system -- 'tre' means town in Welsh, and 'Lew' is short for Lewis. Immigrant workers flooded in from Europe as the railway network expanded. Both Welsh and Italian languages and traditions are still very strong here. We also visit Punta Loma, the first nature reserve in Chubut. It was created in 1967 with the purpose of protecting the only permanent South American sea lion colony. A colony of cormorants, South American terns, other sea and land birds, reptiles and mammals live in this protected area. The colony is made up of 600 South American sea lions. While in Pto Madryn we will visit the Museum of Oceanography and Natural History. NOTE: Our activities in the Trelew and Puerto Madryn area may vary depending on flight schedules and seasonality (especially re. penguins). Our Trelew town sightseeing will be unaffected. Overnight in Puerto Madryn. Hotel Tolosa or similar. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 5 of Argentina & Chile Tour Puerto Madryn: Peninsula Valdes About 120 km (75 miles) north of Puerto Madryn is Peninsula Valdes, one of the finest wildlife reserves in South America and a UNESCO site. Sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, Magellanic penguins and many other rare seabirds are present in large numbers on the beaches and headlands. We will visit the Estancia San Lorenzo, located at the northern end of the Peninsula Valdes since early in the 20th century. The main house, with its verandas, its cladding of corrugated zinc, and its sheep shearing shed, is set amidst the landscape of the steppe, in one of the most impressive places on the Patagonian coast. The owners of San Lorenzo continue to carefully guard this land full of life and history. During different times of the year a variety of fauna choose Peninsula Valdes to mate. The estancia is privileged because of its characteristics and location. It is the most exclusive place to observe the southern right whale (June - mid-December); colonies of sea lions (Dec-Jan breeding season); elephant seals (all year, breeding season late Sep/early Oct); and Magellanic penguins (Aug-Apr). We can walk the dunes to visit a penguin colony. Overnight in Puerto Madryn. Hotel Tolosa or similar. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 6 of Argentina & Chile Tour Puerto Madryn - Ushuaia Today we fly to Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia is considered the world's southernmost city. In 1520, Magellan passed through the strait that now bears his name, in search of a sea route to the spice islands of Asia. The Yahgan Indians built the fires that inspired Europeans to give this region its name -- "The Land of Fire". At first, very little attention was paid to this rocky and glacial shoreline, and its indigenous Indian population. It was not until the demise of Spain's colonial domination of the region in the late 1800's, that other Europeans began settling here. Ushuaia lies on the north shore of the Beagle Channel, at the very heart of the archipelago, and just east of the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego. Since 1950, the town has played host to an important naval base, supporting Argentine claims in Antarctica. Ushuaia has one of the world's most dramatic settings: surrounding jagged glacial peaks rise from sea level to nearly 1500 m (4,500 ft). In 1870, the South American Missionary Society, a British-based organisation, made Ushuaia its first permanent outpost in the Fuego region. Today we will begin exploring the area in earnest. This afternoon,* we will enjoy a tour of the town, beginning with a visit to the town's museum. Filled with interesting artifacts, the museum catalogues the history of this rugged territory. In Ushuaia we are so far south that it is broad daylight until well after 10 pm. * NOTE: The order of our Ushuaia area sightseeing may vary depending on flight schedules in and out of Ushuaia. Overnight in Ushuaia. Hotel del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 7 of Argentina & Chile Tour Ushuaia: Tierra del Fuego Lake Fagnano, the third largest lake in South America will be the focus of this morning's exploration. The drive to the lake is one of unparalleled beauty. Over millions of years, mighty glaciers have carved deep valleys that are now interspersed with deep fjords and extensive pine forests. The surrounding snow-capped mountains contrast sharply with the crystal clear waters of the lake and forests. Overnight in Ushuaia. Hote del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 8 of Argentina & Chile Tour Beagle Channel Cruise Today, weather permitting, we include a cruise on the Beagle Channel, named after the ship on which Darwin sailed through here in 1832. The island of Tierra del Fuego is divided between Argentina and Chile and the Beagle Channel forms part of the border between the two countries. In addition to spectacular scenery, we should see many species of marine mammals and birds. This afternoon will be spent in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Just a short drive from town, this pristine nature reserve is home to hundreds of species of birds, in addition to bountiful varieties of plant life. At Lapatoia Bay we reach the southern end of the Pan-American Highway, which starts in Alaska and runs all the way down through Canada, the USA, Central and South America. Please note: As Tierra del Fuego is so close to the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by water, the weather here is extremely changeable hour by hour. In order to maximise our sight-seeing, we may have to alter the sequence of our activities. Your Tour Leader will do his/her best to ensure that you see all the items listed on these days but, in the event of extreme weather, other activities may have to be substituted. Overnight in Ushuaia. Hotel del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 9 of Argentina & Chile Tour Ushuaia - Calafate Today we fly from Ushuaia to El Calafate, a resort town on Lake Argentino situated at the entrance to the Glacier National Park. Overnight in Calafate. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 10 of Argentina & Chile Tour Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier We leave the shores of Lake Argentino, travel across the lowlands and begin ascending to the sub-Antarctic forest which marks the gateway to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Its centre-piece is the Perito Moreno Glacier which, because of unusually favourable local conditions, is one of the world's few advancing glaciers. Huge icebergs on the glacier's 60 m (180 foot) high face calve and collapse into the Canal de los Tempanos as it advances about 100 m (300 feet) a year. The roar of the gigantic ice wall as it crashes into the surrounding channel is an unforgettable experience. NOTE: Though weather may seem fine in Calafate, the weather near the glacier can be completely different. Generally the nose of Perito Moreno is characterized by cold wind and highly changeable conditions. You should be prepared with layered clothing and a warm hat. This afternoon we return to Calafate. Overnight in Calafate hotel. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 11 of Argentina & Chile Tour Calafate: Upsala Glacier This morning, we depart early from our Calafate hotel to drive the short distance to the boat dock at Puerto Bandera at the western end of Lago Argentino. Here, we board our boat for a picturesque trip across the pristine, exquisite turquoise waters to the Upsala Glacier. The boat lingers in front of the vast wall of ice that is the front of this massive glacier. There are several outside decks that offer excellent views. Cold weather clothing is suitable today. We return to Calafate late in the afternoon. Overnight in Calafate. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 12 of Argentina & Chile Tour Calafate - Buenos Aires Today we fly to Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 13 of Argentina & Chile Tour Buenos Aires Today is free in Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 14 of Argentina & Chile Tour Buenos Aires, Argentina - Santiago de Chile Today we fly from Buenos Aires to Santiago. Overnight in Santiago. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 15 of Argentina & Chile Tour Santiago: Area Tour From inauspicious beginnings, Santiago has become one of South America's most important cities. Founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, it was attacked and overrun by Mapuche Indians just six months later. Spanish troops fortified the summit of Cerro Santa Lucia, and made immediate plans to rebuild the settlement. For almost 2 years, Santiago remained all but a settlement under siege. By the end of the 16th century, the settlement was made up of just 200 houses, with a population of no more than 2,000. We also visit La Sebastiana, another of poet Pablo Neruda's homes-turned-museums, and ride one of the city's many elevators, an effective mode of moving about this largely vertical port back at the turn of the century. Ascendor Artilleria, built in 1898, is one of the oldest still in operation and offers a beautiful view of the ocean. We also visit Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, founded in the XVI century. Valparaiso (literally in Spanish: Paradise Valley) is one of Chile's most important seaports and an increasingly vital cultural center. The city is located in central Chile, where it is capital of the Region of Valparaiso. Although Santiago is Chile's official capital, Valparaiso houses the National Congress. Built upon dozens of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Valparaiso boasts a labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleyways, embodying a rich architectural and cultural legacy. Valparaiso is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often considered to be one of Latin America's most intriguing urban areas. After some time to explore we return to Santiago. Overnight in Santiago. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 16 of Argentina & Chile Tour Santiago - Maipo Valley - Punta Arenas Today's excursion takes us south of Santiago to visit the scenic Maipo Valley and one of the area's most important wineries, Concha y Toro. Our visit will start in Don Melchor square, where your guide will invite to enjoy a panoramic view of the Pirque vineyard, while tasting a glass of its world class wine with its unique flavors and bouquet. Glass in hand, you will stroll through the winery's century old vineyard. You will also visit the Pirque's House, the residence of the Concha y Toro family, and where Chile's largest winery was founded a century ago. Our sightseeing program continues to the Maipo Canyon, Las Vertientes, from where we can admire the Andes in all their splendor Later today we drive to Santiago Airport and take our flight south to Punta Arenas in Patagonia. Punta Arenas is located at the foot of the Andes on the western side of the Straits of Magellan facing the island of Tierra del Fuego. This is a port that attracts commerce and shipping from all over the South Atlantic. Founded in 1848, the city was originally a military garrison and a penal settlement. Port facilities soon became established as a stop over for shipping en route to California during the Gold Rush. The population increased and the town developed as a result of the wool boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the last quarter of the 19th century, 300 purebred sheep were imported from the Falkland Islands. Such was the success of subsequent breeding that by the turn of the century there were almost two million sheep in the territory. Immigrants from all over western Europe were attracted to the area, bringing with them major developments to fishing and farming. Overnight in Punta Arenas. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 17 of Argentina & Chile Tour Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine This morning we travel by road into Torres del Paine National Park. The Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) are spectacular granite pillars which soar almost vertically more than 2000m (6,000 feet) above the Patagonian landscape. The park in which the high peaks sit may be considered the finest national park in all of South America. With turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, rivers and creeks, dense forests and sprawling glaciers this is an unequalled destination. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park. Hotel Torres or similar. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 18 of Argentina & Chile Tour Torres del Paine National Park We spend the entire day in Torres del Paine National Park. Some say Paine was an early settler. Others say the name comes from an ancient Indian word meaning blue -- hearkening to the intense blue of the area's lakes. Wherever the name comes from or means, this is a spectacular park, comparable to Yellowstone or Yosemite in the US. Founded in 1959, Torres del Paine takes in 180,000 ha (450,000 acres). In 1978 UNESCO gave the park World Heritage status, recognizing it as a biosphere especially worthy of international recognition. The park is part of the Paine Massif, which lies inside the continent from, or east of, the high central Andean spine. The massif are medium high mountains emerging suddenly from the plains of the Patagonian steppes. The mountains are granite, capped by crumbly sedimentary rock that used to lie on the valley floor. Before the park was acquired by the Chilean government, it belonged to ranchers who overgrazed and also burned down forests to increase pasture area. The park is still recovering from this devastation, and will be for a while, but it's a chance to see what nature will do, if given a chance. Natural recovery can also be seen, though the glaciers of the park are in quick retreat--up to 17 m (56 ft) a year for the last 90 years, creating a fascinating study of plant succession and soil build-up from bare rock to forest. The flora of the park ranges from grassland to southern beech forests. Many parts of the park were too remote for the cattle ranchers, and exist today in a pristine state. The animal stars of the park are the Guanacos -- wild South American cameloids, related to the domesticated llama and alpaca -- and the Rheas, an ostrich-like bird. Native peoples hunted both across the plains, using every part for food and shelter. When the Europeans came, the Guanaco were slaughtered to make way for cattle and almost became extinct. We will travel through the park in our coach stopping at various points of interest and scenic viewpoints. We will also have an opportunity to walk one of the many easy-going trails that afford expansive views of the mountains and glaciers for which Patagonia is famous. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park. Hotel Torres or similar. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 19 of Argentina & Chile Tour Torres del Paine National Park - Punta Arenas We have some free time this morning for relaxation or a leisurely hike to Paine Cascades for a view of Los Torres. Later this morning we depart Torres del Paine and travel back to Punta Arenas. Overnight in Punta Arenas. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 20 of Argentina & Chile Tour Punta Arenas - Balmaceda - Puerto Chacabuco Early this morning we fly to Balmaceda and transfer to Puerto Chacabuco and the Hotel Loberias del Sur. To get there we travel part of the Austral Road which goes through Llanquihue and Palena provinces on the side of the continent, up to Aysen region passing by the beautiful city of Coyhaique. On the ride to the hotel you will have an opportunity to appreciate a small sample of the astonishing landscape at this latitude. Overnight in Puerto Chacabuco. Hotel Loberias del Sur. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 21 of Argentina & Chile Tour Laguna San Rafael At 8:00 am we will take part in an unforgettable trip on board a large catamaran that will take us through islands, channels, and fiords until we reach the Laguna San Rafael at about 2:00 pm. The main attraction is the peacefulness of this lagoon with a surface of 170 square kilometers--floes and snowdrifts, ice chunks falling constantly and thunderously. Then, on a zodiac, you will get in closer contact with San Rafael snowdrifts and a number of floes moving around. Upon the end of the excursion you can taste a whisky on the rocks made with cubes more than 20,000 years old! We will stay here for 2-3 hours and then return to Puerto Chacabuco for about 9:00 pm. For more information on this excursion you can click on www.catamaranesdelsur.cl. Overnight in Puerto Chacabuco. Hotel Loberias del Sur. All meals. |
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| Day 22 of Argentina & Chile Tour Aiken del Sur Private Park At 9:00 am a bus will take us from the Hotel Loberias del Sur to the recently inaugurated Aiken del Sur Private Park. The Aiken del Sur Park offers natural beauty on the shores of Lago Riesco. The lake has a surface of 14 sq km, quiet and blue crystal clear waters. There is also a waterfall 22 meters high, native woodlands with perennial species, annual plants, moss and liverworts, widespread prairies where aged myrtles and tepa trees mix together; taro and mallin plants, and swamp lands. We stop at the Visitors' Center with interactive exhibitions giving information on local flora, fauna and anthropology. There are also paths with catwalks, bridges, observatory points, and resting places that will give information on the bio-geographical history of each place by means of educational stations. There you will enjoy the wonderful sceneries of the lake, river and hills that make up the Andes mountain range in the Patagonia. You will also have the opportunity to hear the singing of local birds such as the Chucao and Hueta. Here we have a traditional "Patagonian Lamb Barbeque" (vegetarian options available). After lunch, visitors may rest or walk across the other two easy footpaths in the park. Overnight in Puerto Chacabuco. Hotel Loberias del Sur. All meals. |
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| Day 23 of Argentina & Chile Tour Puerto Chacabuco - Balmaceda - Puerto Varas This morning we travel back to Balmaceda Airport from where we fly to Puerto Varas, the main gateway to the southern Lake District (we may have to fly to Puerto Montt and drive the short distance to Pto Varas). Puerto Varas is one of southern Chile's most important cities with a spectacular setting at the north end of the Golfo de Reloncavi. Time permitting we will visit the colourful local market. Overnight in Puerto Varas. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 24 of Argentina & Chile Tour Puerto Varas Area The area around Puerto Varas is a region of spectacular lakes and mountains. We drive along the shore of Lake Llonquihue to the Petrohue waterfall (Salto del Petohue), an amazing series of oddly twisting water chutes. These chutes were formed by a crystallized black volcanic rock that is particularly resistant to erosion. The water at Rio Petrohue is bright green due to the presence of algae. On a clear day this drive is spectacular with the snow-capped peak of the Osorno Volcano looming above us. From the town of Petrohue we take a boat ride on the azure-blue waters of Lago Todos los Santos to the town of Puella, a small village that serves as a stopping point on the route to Argentina. We will spend a short time here; the Cascada de Los Novios (a waterfall) is a short walk from the village. We return to Puerto Varas. Overnight in Puerto Varas. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 25 of Argentina & Chile Tour Puerto Varas - San Pedro de Atacama Today we catch our flight to Calama (via Santiago). On arrival we transfer to our hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, elevation 2300 m (7,600 ft). This is the high Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth. No significant precipitation has been reported here since the Spanish colonial period. At dusk we drive to the Valley of the Moon to see the sunset in this bizarre lunar landscape formed by erosion of the salt mountains. Light reflecting off the salt crystals is an eerie sight. We return to San Pedro after sunset. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 26 of Argentina & Chile Tour Atacama Area This morning we visit San Pedro's Archaealogical Museum, considered one of the best in South America. It is famous for its wonderful collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, particularly the mummies, marvelously preserved in the dry desert air, that pre-date those in Egypt. In the afternoon we'll drive from San Pedro to the town of Toconao. The church and houses in this picturesque village are built of bricks of white volcanic stone. From Tocanao we continue to the Salar de Atacama, the world's largest salt lake. Rich in minerals, including borax and lithium, it is home to flamingos and many other bird species. At Lago Chaxa, part of the Reserva Nacional de los Flamingos, one often can get quite close to flamingos in their natural habitat. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 27 of Argentina & Chile Tour Atacama Area We leave the hotel at 04:00 to see the spectacular geysers of El Tatio, elevation 4400m (14,500 ft), arriving before sunrise. Super-heated water gurgles in the frozen ground and emerges violently as steam in over 100 geysers, boiling pools, and fumaroles. The display is finished by 10:00. We then proceed to the hotspring called Termas de Puritama where we can enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm pools before returning to San Pedro. In the afternoon we visit Tulor, a 2,800 year old site where evidence of the earliest habitation in the region was found. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. Breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day 28 of Argentina & Chile Tour Atacama - Santiago - Depart Today we drive to Calama for our flight to Santiago. Flight timing permitting, you may choose to visit the Pre-columbian Art Museum, which has one of the most complete collections of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics of the local culture. Later we transfer to the airport for our evening flight homeward. Breakfast. BUEN VIAJE! |
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